Physics World Weekly Podcast

Physics World Weekly offers a unique insight into the latest news, breakthroughs and innovations from the global scientific community. Our award-winning journalists reveal what has captured their imaginations about the stories in the news this week, which might span anything from quantum physics and astronomy through to materials science, environmental research and policy, and biomedical science and technology. Find out more about the stories in this podcast by visiting the Physics World website. If you enjoy what you hear, then also check out our monthly podcast Physics World Stories, which takes a more in-depth look at a specific theme.

Teaching quantum physics to everyone: pictures offer a new way of understanding
May 29, 2025 – 35:27
A Martian aurora, how the universe fades away, Heisenberg on holiday, physics of fake coins
May 22, 2025 – 42:23
Quantum computing for artists, musicians and game designers
May 15, 2025 – 32:44
Molecular engineering and battery recycling: developing new technologies in quantum, medicine and energy
May 8, 2025 – 35:31
Ferenc Krausz explains how ultrashort laser pulses could help detect disease
May 1, 2025 – 30:36
Driving skills and innovation in the UK’s semiconductor industry
Apr 24, 2025 – 33:52
Radiosurgery made easy: the role of the Gamma Knife in modern radiotherapy
Apr 17, 2025 – 32:14
Non-invasive pressure sensor could revolutionize how brain injuries are diagnosed
Apr 10, 2025 – 26:28
William Phillips: Nobel laureate talks about his passion for quantum physics
Apr 4, 2025 – 1:03:22
Microsoft’s Chetan Nayak on topological qubits, the physics of bigger splashes
Mar 27, 2025 – 32:15
Artur Ekert explains how Albert Einstein and John Bell inspired quantum cryptography
Mar 20, 2025 – 55:00
Ionizing radiation: its biological impacts and how it is used to treat disease
Mar 13, 2025 – 37:49
New materials for quantum technology, how ultrasound can help detect breast cancer
Mar 6, 2025 – 35:16
Exploring CERN: Physics World visits the world’s leading particle-physics lab
Feb 27, 2025 – 28:38
Jim Gates updates his theorist’s bucket list and surveys the damage being done to US science and society
Feb 20, 2025 – 47:06
Quantum superstars gather in Paris for the IYQ 2025 opening ceremony
Feb 13, 2025 – 27:23
How the changing environment affects solar-panel efficiency: the Indian perspective
Feb 6, 2025 – 26:16
Mark Thomson looks to the future of CERN and particle physics
Jan 30, 2025 – 38:50
Why electrochemistry lies at the heart of modern technology
Jan 23, 2025 – 35:17
Ceryx Medical: company uses bioelectronics to coordinate the heart and lungs
Jan 16, 2025 – 41:33
Humanitarian engineering can improve cancer treatment in low- and middle-income countries
Jan 9, 2025 – 48:08
International Year of Quantum Science and Technology: our celebrations begin with a look at quantum networks and sensors
Jan 2, 2025 – 37:06
The physics of ice cream: food scientist Douglas Goff talks about this remarkable material
Dec 26, 2024 – 40:39
Mikhail Lukin and Dolev Bluvstein explain how they used trapped atoms to create 48 logical qubits
Dec 19, 2024 – 39:18
Hartmut Neven talks about Google Quantum AI’s breakthrough in quantum error correction
Dec 19, 2024 – 32:50
Exploring this year’s best physics research in our Top 10 Breakthroughs of 2024
Dec 12, 2024 – 28:24
How the UK Metamaterials Network supports scientific and commercial innovation
Dec 5, 2024 – 27:54
Astronomers can play an important role in explaining the causes and consequences of climate change, says astrophysicist
Nov 28, 2024 – 36:44
Top tips for physics outreach from a prize winner, making graphene more sustainable
Nov 21, 2024 – 34:53
Space travel: the health effects of space radiation and building a lunar GPS
Nov 14, 2024 – 53:53
How to boost the sustainability of solar cells
Nov 7, 2024 – 31:54
Peter Hirst: MIT Sloan Executive Education develops leadership skills in STEM employees
Oct 31, 2024 – 36:15
Julia Sutcliffe: chief scientific adviser explains why policymaking must be underpinned by evidence
Oct 24, 2024 – 30:54
Data-intensive PhDs at LIV.INNO prepare students for careers outside of academia
Oct 17, 2024 – 36:50
Deep connections: why two AI pioneers won the Nobel Prize for Physics
Oct 10, 2024 – 28:04
Nobel predictions and humorous encounters with physics laureates
Oct 3, 2024 – 30:24
Science thrives on constructive and respectful peer review
Sep 24, 2024 – 34:49
Diagnosing and treating disease: how physicists keep you safe during healthcare procedures
Sep 19, 2024 – 38:21
Looking to the future of statistical physics, how intense storms can affect your cup of tea
Sep 12, 2024 – 37:17
Hybrid quantum–classical computing chips and neutral-atom qubits both show promise
Sep 5, 2024 – 48:47
The Wow! signal: did a telescope in Ohio receive an extraterrestrial communication in 1977?
Aug 29, 2024 – 41:05
Physics for a better future: mammoth book looks at science and society
Aug 22, 2024 – 33:36
Quantum sensors monitor brain development in children
Aug 15, 2024 – 23:52
Abdus Salam: celebrating a unifying force in global physics
Aug 8, 2024 – 24:34
Non-physicists find opportunity in the quantum industry, improving the university experience
Aug 1, 2024 – 45:20
Zap Energy targets fusion power without magnets, Claudia de Rham on the beauty of gravity
Jul 25, 2024 – 44:31
Diamond dust for MRI, 4D printing creates advanced devices
Jul 19, 2024 – 36:35
Precision medicine: meet two medical physicists who are making it possible
Jul 11, 2024 – 49:23
Shrinivas Kulkarni: 2024 Shaw Prize in Astronomy winner talks about his fascination with variable and transient objects
Jun 27, 2024 – 49:48
Linking silicon T centres with light offers a route to fault-tolerant quantum computing
Jun 20, 2024 – 31:00

Recent Reviews

etherdog

Audio quality is everything to a podcast

While the information is good, one would think that a physics podcast would pay attention more to the audio quality to convey the message. There are many times that critical information is garbled.
xxxxdf go jg

Audio

Audio very poor quality
Jdw alaska

Joel D

Love the podcast. Great information. Rock solid topics of discussion
☹️🙁☹️😕🙁

Love the topic, sad about some of the content

I love the stories you present, and the episode about life on Venus is one of my favorite episodes of any podcast. Unfortunately, after listening to the episode on self driving cars, I am thoroughly embarrassed for both you and your guests that you had on. If I had no knowledge on the subject I would take away from the episode that full autonomous cars are at least 10-20 years away. Tesla literally has a full self driving beta out right now that seems no more than a few years from perfection. This reminds me of the people who said flying vehicles were hundreds of years away, only a few days before the wright brothers flew for the first time. I wish you would offer a correction for the guests you had on that had no knowledge of their own industry.